Ambitious plans to convert part of a mall into a healthy living centre have been signed off and will be named after one of the county’s most prominent public health experts.

Part of the first floor of the Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham will now become a medical centre following approval from NHS Kent and Medway.

First proposed in 2021, the £ 15 million suite aims to support residents to access a greater range of services and clinics than a typical GP surgery.

The Chatham location was chosen because of its higher-than-national average deprivation levels and the anticipation of increased pressures in the near future because of population growth and ageing.

The NHS has contributed the lion’s share of the funding, in total putting forward £ 13.4 million, and Medway Council is responsible for refurbishing the first floor of the shopping centre.

The health hub will be named the James Williams Health Centre after the authority’s director of public health who passed away in May after a short illness.

A former Olympic fencer and respected public health official, Mr Williams was appointed to the directorship in 2017 and led the Towns’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as driving initiatives to improve the general health of residents.

Maritime Health Partnership, which currently operates a surgery on the ground floor of the Pentagon, will move to the first floor when work is completed - which is expected to be next year.

The Bryant Street Medical Centre will also relocate to the new hub from its current location around the same time.

It will be managed by Medway Community Healthcare and is expected to open next year.

Medway Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for public health Cllr Teresa Murray (Lab) said: “We are delighted that we are one step closer to opening a first-class health facility in Chatham town centre, providing high-quality care in an easy-to-access location.

“I am honoured to confirm that the new centre is being named after our late director of public health, James Williams.

“James was an inspirational figure and huge driving force behind improving health outcomes across Medway, as well as addressing health inequalities across the south east.

“The James Williams Healthy Living Centre will stand as a fitting tribute to his work and aspirations, and is a big step towards helping to reduce health inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of residents in Medway.

“I look forward to seeing this exciting project start to take shape over the next year.”

Paul Bentley, NHS Kent and Medway chief executive, said: “This is outstanding news for the people we serve in the Chatham area.

“We know more needs to be done in parts of Medway to help improve people’s health and well-being and this healthy living centre will help people access the right care, in the right place.

“With good transport links and a central location, the centre will also have room to expand over time to offer more services for local people meaning we can join up services, to provide care around people’s individual needs.”

The centre will share the first floor of the Pentagon with the council’s co-working space, called Ascend, which also received £1.8 million in funding in January.

The Pentagon was used as a vaccination centre during the pandemic and councillors hoped to build on this to deliver the new facility but the project was plagued by delays - some of which were blamed on having to deal with NHS bodies.

The Bauvill Group has been contracted for the construction, which is being overseen by Ellandi, and is anticipated to complete the work next year.

Brooke Tahau, director of development at Ellandi, said: “The development of the James Williams Healthy Living Centre is a great testament to our dedication to enhancing community health.

“There is a growing imperative to bring healthcare back to the community, and this centre embodies our commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive care in the heart of centres.

“By working together with the NHS and Medway Council, we are excited to create a space that not only meets the immediate needs of local residents but also adapts to future healthcare demands.”